“Mark a new era”: $2 billion bombshell as Max is linked to the richest deal in sports… and it’s not with Red Bull

Max Verstappen, a four-time F1 driver-champion, has been linked to a blockbuster move to Aston Martin, according to stunning reports from England. The contract would be the largest in sporting history.

In 2024, the 27-year-old Dutchman achieved his fourth consecutive world championship, rendering him a highly sought-after asset for teams seeking to make a significant impact.

Since billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll assumed control of the team, that has been Aston Martin’s operating model.

Although the team has earned a fifth-place finish in the past two F1 seasons, they have not consistently achieved podium finishes. In 2024, they failed to achieve a podium finish after the ageless wonder Fernando Alonso finished on the podium eight times in 2023.

However, at 43 years old, there are concerns regarding his longevity in the sport, despite the fact that he nearly tripled the number of points earned by his teammate Lance Stroll in 2024.

Adrian Newey, the chief technical officer of Red Bull and the driving force behind the team’s success, was signed by Aston Martin for a reported $A40 million annually. This sum is more than 18 of the 20 drivers on the grid. Stroll’s team has demonstrated their unwavering commitment to achieving the highest level of success.

After acquiring Red Bull’s championship-winning technical genius, who is widely regarded as the greatest car designer in F1 history, the team is reportedly in pursuit of its championship-winning driver.

Max Verstappen has won the last four world titles. Photo by Miguel Schincariol / AFP
Source: AFP

According to The Daily Mail, Aston Martin informed sponsors that Verstappen would be joining the team on a £1 billion ($A1.97bn) deal.

“In a £1 billion deal that would be one of the largest in the history of sport, Aston Martin is informing potential sponsors that Max Verstappen will join them in their ambitious bid to win the world title.”

“The contract of the four-time world champion could be worth up to £1 billion over the course of his career and would almost certainly include equity in the Silverstone-based team.”

Verstappen is reportedly paid £50 million ($A99m) annually by Red Bull.

The report indicated that Verstappen would receive £200 million ($A395 million) annually as part of the Aston Martin agreement, in addition to equity in the team, which would render him a partial owner.

The agreement would be the most lucrative in the annals of sports, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s $US215 million ($A346 million) contract with Al Nassr and Karim Benzema’s $US224 million ($A361 million) annual contract with Al-Ittihad.

The Daily Mail was “wide of the mark,” according to Crash.net, and Aston Martin has publicly denied that they are preparing the monster deal.

“The story was categorically denied by an Aston Martin Aramco spokesperson,” the team announced via Planet F1.

Lawrence Stroll seems to get what he desires. Photo by Andrew Ferraro/Getty Images for Aston MartinImage credit: Getty Images

The Daily Mail report acknowledges that it is “a firm desire rather than a certain fact, for the time being.”

It also stated that Aston Martin had communicated with the Verstappen camp, but the conversation was primarily focused on the team’s endurance racing program.

But the extent to which the Canadian billionaire and 885th richest person in the world, Stroll, is motivated by his $US3.8bn ($A6.1bn) fortune to achieve F1 success remains to be determined.

An insider informed Motorcycle Sports that the acquisition of Verstappen by Aston Martin would “signify the commencement of a new era,” as the seismic move would have a significant impact on the likes of Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren.

Despite Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull, there has been speculation throughout the season that he may depart the team.

A clause in Verstappen’s contract was disclosed following the sexting scandal involving Christian Horner and a reported disagreement between the team principal and adviser Helmut Marko. The clause stipulated that the Dutchman would be permitted to terminate his contract, which is intended to extend until the conclusion of the 2028 season, in the event that Marko were to be dismissed.

Alonso’s contract was also extended last year, and he is now signed until the conclusion of the 2026 season.

Additionally, the Red Bull garage is beset by uncertainty as a result of the loss of Newey and the first time since 2021 that the constructor’s title has been forfeited.

Verstappen may opt to remain with his current team and reunite with Newey, as Red Bull will transition from Honda power units to Ford in 2026 in accordance with the new technical regulations, and Aston Martin will transition from Mercedes to Honda.

It will no doubt be a subject to monitor.

If the report were accurate, it would undoubtedly be worth Verstappen’s time. Photograph by Mark Thompson/Getty ImagesImage credit: Getty Images

However, the Silverstone-based organization may encounter a challenging year in the interim.

The team has been predicted to experience difficulties in 2025 due to the fact that Newey will not commence until March and the team’s explicit technical emphasis on quickly establishing itself in 2026 in accordance with the new technical regulations.

Jacques Villeneuve, a former world champion, stated to Action Network, “I would say Aston Martin will be the biggest disappointment of 2025.”

“Not because they will perform poorly, but because the public anticipates that they will begin to achieve success due to Adrian Newey’s presence. However, he has not yet had the opportunity to influence the team, so the expectations of fans and outsiders will be misguided.”

“It will be disheartening not because of the negative outcomes, but rather because they will not align with the expectations and desires of the public with Newey in attendance.” It necessitates time